I am looking for an online semester long Precalculus course, most likely a college course. Does anyone have any advice of where to start investigating this possibility? Our local college is just a bit too far to get to for my son. Thanks for ANY feedback Pj

Just looking for any advice: We began Foerster Algebra 2 in March/April and got through chapter 3. One of my sons will be attending local high school full time ( sadness....) but the other son will continue at home for most classes-including math. This son is a perfectionist and really struggled the first two chapters. Chapter 3 went a little smoother and then summer came and we took a break. We will pick up again in a few weeks, with a bit of basic Algebra review first. My son asked about Math u See and I told him I didn't think this was a great option. He is interested in Computer Engineering and will be taking AP Computer Science this year at the local high school. I have heard that Math u See is not rigorous enough for this path-any thoughts?? Or any other suggestions? I have heard of Lial's -which we used for Algebra 1 and he did fine, though didn't like it. Of course, he says he just doesn't like Algebra in general so no matter what book we use, it may not help in this aspect. Suggestions or advice appreciated!!

My daughter is finishing her 2nd year at college-engineering major, and this semester has been the most stressful for her. Nothing I could have done differently to prepare her for sick roommates, 6 exams starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday morning,and coping with a toxic environment that forced one roommate to move out days before finals. She us an excellent planner, studies smart, eats and exercises and has fun days with friends. But I am not sure this is enough. Life is messy and sometimes hard events just happen all at once. She will survive and learn from this experience, and be stronger because of it, though. And her faith will (hopefully) provide strength and stamina. My other daughter has had chronic medical, mental issues her entire school since 3rd grade. At times I have struggled with guilt that I didn't push harder enough, didn't up the ante, treated her differently than my other three.....BUT, she IS graduating on time and actually cane out with a decent ACT despite "not pushing". She is wise beyond her years due to her chronic issues, and took time to self educate herself on many, many things because she had the time to do so. I am so grateful, looking back, that homeschooling was an option for her - she has developed into a competent, wise young woman.

Hi This is a question for MFW high school users. Would it be possible to jump into MFW high school at the American History level (11th) for my 15 years boy? We are finishing Reformation time period, which is his 9th grade year. I don't want to do MFW 10th grade program since it's too he same thing we've done this year. Is it possible to be successful jumping in the late? My other option is Sonlight. Thanks for any feedback Pam

Thank you everyone! Very helpful. Any advice on which math based chemistry? It needs to be one with some resources for me since I will be teaching it I am not afraid to teach it but it's been awhile since I've done Chemistry myself!

I am very ignorant but what is DE??? I am very interested as I have three highschool children and any help I can find I will take it.

Hi My son is thinking of computer engineering for a major and we will be doing chemistry next year. I see that the WTM online class uses the Conceptual chemistry. Is this good enough for kids who may possible end up majoring in engineering ? My son will be doing Algebra 2 concurrently-we started Algebra 2 about a month ago so he will finish 1/2 way through Chemistry, if that helps at all in choosing a chemistry course. Has anyone had kids majoring in engineering that would have an opinion on Conceptual chemistry? Thanks pj

Hi, After looking at many options for Algebra 2, my twins have both decided they would like to continue using the Algebre 2 Foerster's book. We are in Chapter 2 and I am looking for any ideas-other than take notes, listen to lecture, do problems, review-that wold be helpful to succeed in this book. We did Lial's Elementary Algebra for Algebra 1 and they did well-one was about 94% the other was 91%. One twin is naturally smart in math and it comes failry easy for him. The other one is a bit behind in maturity level, but holds his own. What did you find that helped your son or daughter succeed in this book? Also, I heard that there might be some concepts that are unnecessary for a straight Algebra 2 credit. Could someone tell me what this might be?? We will do Precalculus after Algebra 2, regardless of how far we get in this book. Thanks so much,

Hi, I have used this with my high school kids and it is well done for this age group. There are 5 days, with about 3-5 questions per day. Then a longer summary with some interpretation of the verses just completed. What I would also suggest to you is the adult version that has weekly online meeting using something like Skype. I have done this for 3 years now. I can give you more detailed answers and description if you want to PM me or email me.

Thanks, this makes sense and after I went through the lesson, I agree with you even stronger. While I was initially intimidated, I can truly see the benefits now,! Thanks for your timely response!

I would love to offer my two boys for guinea pigs for the fall of 2017 also!!! We are ready and need to take chemistry in the fall and I don't have the amount of time I did with my other two. On a side note, I would be interested in helping you develop some kind of kit for the experiments if one of the vendors don't have exactly what your labs would need. I would be willing to work with various vendors or supp liers to either create a kit or come up with a discount for students taking the course or something along that line. PM is you want some help with this aspect.

Thank you very much. This was very helpful!!¡

Could someone compare these two for me, please? We will be using this with my son who did Lial's Algebra. I have searched the forums quite a bit but I just am not sure have have seen these two compared. Is Chalkdust more rigorous? More appropriate for a bright student? Or would Foerster be better for a student who is just good but not "great," at math? Thank you Pj

Hi I am looking for some Algebra 2 recommendations for my 15 yearods who are just finishing up Geometry. We used Lials Elementary for Algebra 1 and while is was o.k., my boys hated math everyday. This year we used Math u See which is too easy......My other issue is one boy is very bright-engineering is probably in his future, where the other is bent more towards the arts and is very creative. Up til now, they have been o.k. using the same book, but I am open to splitting them if need be for Algebra 2. I am o.k.teaching it, though they would probably prefer a video lesson if one is available. I do not want an online course due to price and other course already online. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions of what you have used and how it has worked for you. Thank you, Pam

Thanks so much for all that info. Lori D. Sounds like that LLtL IS NOT a good idea!!! WOW, saved myself another bad purchase. That is why I come here before I trust another recommendation from someone else.!

Thank you for all your input! It is very helpful and gives me some options to think about! I do have one more question about a curriculum that was suggested to me. I would probably not even give this a second thought if we weren't going to be moving. BUT, I also suffer from chronic pain-I have had three surgies in the past 4 years and that last was a total hip replacement. So not only the move but I am still "recovering" from that. So with that intro. Learning Language Arts Through Literature Like I said, due to my circumstances that I am even considering this. I wouldn't use the entire book, and would then do WttW next year and make it a full year of literary analysis using the Jill Pyke plans. I don't like the millions of questions that are used in this curriculum put I could certainly cut them down to a reasonable level I think. Would love any feedback about this. My boys still have a few books to finish up for 1st semeter; Ivanhoe, The Brendan Voyage and Watership Down so I have a few more weeks to get this all in place, thankfully!!!!!!!!!

Hi, We will be moving in the last part of January/first part of February-it won't be a far move, just across town. However, the house needs a fair amount of work and my two 15 year old sons will be helping with this work. I have decided to combine the 15 year olds with my senior for a 1/2 semester of government, and I am considering doing the WttW for the 15 year olds for the literature. BUT, I am wondering if this might be too confusing to do in the middle of a move...they both will be doing online foreign language, biology/lab, writing, government, logic, and a few other odds and ends- one will be doing a class at the high school, and both will be doing a sport at the high school. (oh, and one of them is a ex-Landry student so we have yet to determine where his second semester of Spanish 2 will be done!) I hate to wait until their sophomore year to do WttW, but if I did wait until next year, we could spend the entire year and add books to the program as well...... Would love any feedback/advice, especially if you have done WttW before. Thanks for any suggestions amy

Hi, I had my freshman boys take a practice ACT test last week and did as well as can be expected, I guess. My concern is one of them really struggled with the Critical Reading section-I know we haven't done a lot of literature type of study yet-slated for 2nd semester of this year. But I am more concerned about just basic comprehension and the inferences, authors purpose type of questions that he couldn't answer correctly. Where or what kind of curriculum/book would I be looking for to help in this area? I looked at the Critical Thinking Company and there was one possible "Reading Detective" resource that might work. But I was wondering if you all wise people would have some other resources for me to look at....... Thanks so much!!!! I don't know what I would do without this board!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. I would love to have her take it at the local CC and she is doing the extrance exam in a few weeks so she can possible do the CNA class in the summer. It will all depend on her math scores if she would even be allowed to take a Chem. course-her math is weak too, so we will be working on that as well. The college she wants to attend offers a free math workshop in the summer, so we are hoping to do that. thanks again!

Hi, My daughter has decided, kinda out of the blue, to pursue nursing and go to college next fall. She is a Senior and so we are scrambling to get apps. out and such. She needs to brush up on math, for sure, but I can handle that and know what to do. But I am not sure how to do chemistry....I bought some hands on molecular kit to work with but I would love some guide, or book or something to work from. Any ideas??? Thanks Pam

Thanks for a great start! I am looking for both dates and lit. monologues-really whatever that you have used. This is really our first try at memory stuff beyond the basics of verses and even that was pretty shabby! But I am not giving up and want a few ideas of things other than bible verses-KWIM!

Hi, Before I begin to put some memory work together (yes, I am very late planning this year!!!) I was wondering if I wouldn't have to recreate the wheel and borrow some things others have used or will be using this year. I am really open to just about any kind of memory work that deals with this time period-even biblical types of things. Would sure appreciate some help at this late in the game Thanks

What do those initials stand for?

Hi, I am in search of two more things to complete our plans for the year. One thing I am looking for is a personal finance course for my 17 year old daughter. I am looking for one that shows how to balance a check book, write checks etc. Would prefer a secular type of course, if possible. The other thing I am looking for is a basic logic course that could be used with both my 17 year old daughter and 14 year old sons. I would like to do discussions together for this. The 17 year old went through about 1/2 of the older book of Fallacy Detective a few years back and the 14 year old sons have done nothing. It would be great if there was something that included some discussion work. Anything like this exist? Oh yeah, it has to be easily implemented by me as it is too close to beginning of the year to wade through long explanations and prep work. THANK YOU FOR ANY AND ALL COMMENTS AND ADVICE OR LEADS!! HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING PJ

I am trying to finish 9th grade English and I am having a very difficult time deciding between Oak Meadow's 9th grade Hero course or Windows to the World. They both look so good!! One question I do have is this: With Windows to the World-do I need a separate writing program? Or is there enough writing through out the program? From the sample of the Oak Meadow, it seems like there is an abundance of writing for my boys, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. But my boys do need practice writing. We will be working on the Killgallon Sentences and Paragraph books throughout the year, which will be helpful, I hope. So looking for anybody who has opinions on one or the other-someone who has done Windows to the World and what their experience was like would be especially helpful. Thanks pj